[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5361 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 5361

   To improve and coordinate interagency Federal actions and provide 
 assistance to States for responding to public health challenges posed 
           by emerging contaminants, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            December 9, 2019

   Ms. Blunt Rochester (for herself and Mrs. Rodgers of Washington) 
 introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on 
   Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Science, 
 Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by 
the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall 
           within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
   To improve and coordinate interagency Federal actions and provide 
 assistance to States for responding to public health challenges posed 
           by emerging contaminants, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Safe Drinking Water Assistance Act 
of 2019''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds that--
            (1) safe and clean drinking water is essential to the 
        health, well-being, comfort, and standard of living of every 
        person of the United States;
            (2) emerging contaminants in drinking water systems are 
        increasingly being detected at low levels;
            (3) prolonged exposure to unregulated drinking water 
        contaminants, including emerging contaminants, may pose human 
        health risks, particularly to vulnerable populations;
            (4) the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.) 
        requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection 
        Agency--
                    (A) to periodically make regulatory determinations 
                with respect to unregulated contaminants; and
                    (B) not less frequently than once every 5 years, to 
                identify and publish a description of unregulated 
                contaminants that may require regulation;
            (5) in a 2011 report of the Government Accountability 
        Office, the Comptroller General of the United States found, 
        with respect to unregulated drinking water contaminants, that--
                    (A) the Administrator has made limited progress in 
                prioritizing drinking water contaminants based on 
                greatest public health concern;
                    (B) the lack of data relating to the exposure of 
                the public to potentially harmful drinking water 
                contaminants and the related health effects of that 
                exposure continues to limit the ability of the 
                Administrator to make regulatory determinations; and
                    (C) in many cases, gathering sufficient data to 
                address contaminants awaiting regulatory determinations 
                by the Administrator has taken the Administrator more 
                than 10 years, and obtaining data on other contaminants 
                that are currently awaiting regulatory determinations 
                may take decades;
            (6) in the 2016 Drinking Water Action Plan of the 
        Environmental Protection Agency, the Administrator recommended 
        that the Federal Government and key water stakeholders 
        strengthen the effectiveness of drinking water health 
        advisories through enhanced collaboration and increased focus 
        on risk management and risk communication approaches;
            (7) in response to the report of the Committee on 
        Appropriations of the Senate accompanying S. 1662 of the 115th 
        Congress (S. Rept. 115-139), the Office of Science and 
        Technology Policy developed a coordinated cross-agency plan for 
        addressing critical research gaps related to detecting, 
        assessing exposure to, and identifying the adverse health 
        effects of emerging contaminants in drinking water; and
            (8) it is vital that legislators, regulatory officials, 
        public water system owners and operators, scientists, and 
        environmental advocacy groups continue to work to ensure that 
        the public water systems of the United States are among the 
        safest in the world.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the 
        Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
            (2) Contaminant.--The term ``contaminant'' means any 
        physical, chemical, biological, or radiological substance or 
        matter in water.
            (3) Contaminant of emerging concern; emerging 
        contaminant.--The terms ``contaminant of emerging concern'' and 
        ``emerging contaminant'' mean a contaminant--
                    (A) for which the Administrator has not promulgated 
                a national primary drinking water regulation; and
                    (B) that may have an adverse effect on the health 
                of individuals.
            (4) Federal research strategy.--The term ``Federal research 
        strategy'' means the cross-agency plan described in section 
        2(7).
            (5) Technical assistance and support.--The term ``technical 
        assistance and support'' includes--
                    (A) assistance with--
                            (i) identifying appropriate analytical 
                        methods for the detection of contaminants;
                            (ii) understanding the strengths and 
                        limitations of the analytical methods described 
                        in clause (i); and
                            (iii) troubleshooting the analytical 
                        methods described in clause (i);
                    (B) providing advice on laboratory certification 
                program elements;
                    (C) interpreting sample analysis results;
                    (D) providing training with respect to proper 
                analytical techniques;
                    (E) identifying appropriate technology for the 
                treatment of contaminants; and
                    (F) analyzing samples, if--
                            (i) the analysis cannot be otherwise 
                        obtained in a practicable manner otherwise; and
                            (ii) the capability and capacity to perform 
                        the analysis is available at a Federal 
                        facility.
            (6) Working group.--The term ``Working Group'' means the 
        Working Group established under section 4(b)(1).

SEC. 4. RESEARCH AND COORDINATION PLAN FOR ENHANCED RESPONSE ON 
              EMERGING CONTAMINANTS.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator shall--
            (1) review Federal efforts--
                    (A) to identify, monitor, and assist in the 
                development of treatment methods for emerging 
                contaminants; and
                    (B) to assist States in responding to the human 
                health risks posed by contaminants of emerging concern; 
                and
            (2) in collaboration with owners and operators of public 
        water systems, States, and other interested stakeholders, 
        establish a strategic plan for improving the Federal efforts 
        referred to in paragraph (1).
    (b) Interagency Working Group on Emerging Contaminants.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator and the Secretary of 
        Health and Human Services shall jointly establish a Working 
        Group to coordinate the activities of the Federal Government to 
        identify and analyze the public health effects of drinking 
        water contaminants of emerging concern.
            (2) Membership.--The Working Group shall include 
        representatives of the following:
                    (A) The Environmental Protection Agency, appointed 
                by the Administrator.
                    (B) The following agencies, appointed by the 
                Secretary of Health and Human Services:
                            (i) The National Institutes of Health.
                            (ii) The Centers for Disease Control and 
                        Prevention.
                            (iii) The Agency for Toxic Substances and 
                        Disease Registry.
                    (C) The United States Geological Survey, appointed 
                by the Secretary of the Interior.
                    (D) Any other Federal agency the assistance of 
                which the Administrator determines to be necessary to 
                carry out this subsection, appointed by the head of the 
                respective agency.
            (3) Existing working group.--The Administrator may expand 
        or modify the duties of an existing working group to perform 
        the duties of the Working Group under this subsection.
    (c) National Emerging Contaminant Research Initiative.--
            (1) Federal research strategy.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the 
                date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the 
                Office of Science and Technology Policy (referred to in 
                this subsection as the ``Director'') shall coordinate 
                with the heads of the agencies described in 
                subparagraph (C) to establish a research initiative, to 
                be known as the ``National Emerging Contaminant 
                Research Initiative'', that shall--
                            (i) use the Federal research strategy to 
                        improve the identification, analysis, 
                        monitoring, and treatment methods of 
                        contaminants of emerging concern; and
                            (ii) develop any necessary program, policy, 
                        or budget to support the implementation of the 
                        Federal research strategy, including mechanisms 
                        for joint agency review of research proposals, 
                        for interagency cofunding of research 
                        activities, and for information sharing across 
                        agencies.
                    (B) Research on emerging contaminants.--In carrying 
                out subparagraph (A), the Director shall--
                            (i) take into consideration consensus 
                        conclusions from peer-reviewed, pertinent 
                        research on emerging contaminants; and
                            (ii) in consultation with the 
                        Administrator, identify priority emerging 
                        contaminants for research emphasis.
                    (C) Federal participation.--The agencies referred 
                to in subparagraph (A) include--
                            (i) the National Science Foundation;
                            (ii) the National Institutes of Health;
                            (iii) the Environmental Protection Agency;
                            (iv) the National Institute of Standards 
                        and Technology;
                            (v) the United States Geological Survey; 
                        and
                            (vi) any other Federal agency that 
                        contributes to research in water quality, 
                        environmental exposures, and public health, as 
                        determined by the Director.
                    (D) Participation from additional entities.--In 
                carrying out subparagraph (A), the Director shall 
                consult with nongovernmental organizations, State and 
                local governments, and science and research 
                institutions determined by the Director to have 
                scientific or material interest in the National 
                Emerging Contaminant Research Initiative.
            (2) Implementation of research recommendations.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the 
                date on which the Director and heads of the agencies 
                described in paragraph (1)(C) establish the National 
                Emerging Contaminant Research Initiative under 
                paragraph (1)(A), the head of each agency described in 
                paragraph (1)(C) shall--
                            (i) issue a solicitation for research 
                        proposals consistent with the Federal research 
                        strategy; and
                            (ii) make grants to applicants that submit 
                        research proposals selected by the National 
                        Emerging Contaminant Research Initiative in 
                        accordance with subparagraph (B).
                    (B) Selection of research proposals.--The National 
                Emerging Contaminant Research Initiative shall select 
                research proposals to receive grants under this 
                paragraph on the basis of merit, using criteria 
                identified by the Director, including the likelihood 
                that the proposed research will result in significant 
                progress toward achieving the objectives identified in 
                the Federal research strategy.
                    (C) Eligible entities.--Any entity or group of two 
                or more entities may submit to the head of each agency 
                described in paragraph (1)(C) a research proposal in 
                response to the solicitation for research proposals 
                described in subparagraph (A)(i), including--
                            (i) State and local agencies;
                            (ii) public institutions, including public 
                        institutions of higher education;
                            (iii) private corporations; and
                            (iv) nonprofit organizations.
    (d) Federal Technical Assistance and Support for States.--
            (1) Study.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the 
                date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
                conduct a study on actions the Administrator can take 
                to increase technical assistance and support for States 
                with respect to emerging contaminants in drinking water 
                samples.
                    (B) Contents of study.--In carrying out the study 
                described in subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall 
                identify--
                            (i) methods and effective treatment options 
                        to increase technical assistance and support 
                        with respect to emerging contaminants to 
                        States, including identifying opportunities for 
                        States to improve communication with various 
                        audiences about the risks associated with 
                        emerging contaminants;
                            (ii) means to facilitate access to 
                        qualified contract testing laboratory 
                        facilities that conduct analyses for emerging 
                        contaminants; and
                            (iii) actions to be carried out at existing 
                        Federal laboratory facilities, including the 
                        research facilities of the Administrator, to 
                        provide technical assistance and support for 
                        States that require testing facilities for 
                        emerging contaminants.
                    (C) Availability of analytical resources.--In 
                carrying out the study described in subparagraph (A), 
                the Administrator shall consider--
                            (i) the availability of--
                                    (I) Federal and non-Federal 
                                laboratory capacity; and
                                    (II) validated methods to detect 
                                and analyze contaminants; and
                            (ii) other factors determined to be 
                        appropriate by the Administrator.
            (2) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to 
        Congress a report describing the results of the study described 
        in paragraph (1).
            (3) Program to provide federal assistance to states.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the 
                date of enactment of this Act, based on the findings in 
                the report described in paragraph (2), the 
                Administrator shall develop a program to provide 
                technical assistance and support to eligible States for 
                the testing and analysis of emerging contaminants.
                    (B) Application.--
                            (i) In general.--To be eligible for 
                        technical assistance and support under this 
                        paragraph, a State shall submit to the 
                        Administrator an application at such time, in 
                        such manner, and containing such information as 
                        the Administrator may require.
                            (ii) Criteria.--The Administrator shall 
                        evaluate an application for technical 
                        assistance and support under this paragraph on 
                        the basis of merit using criteria identified by 
                        the Administrator, including--
                                    (I) the laboratory facilities 
                                available to the State;
                                    (II) the availability and 
                                applicability of existing analytical 
                                methodologies;
                                    (III) the potency and severity of 
                                the emerging contaminant, if known; and
                                    (IV) the prevalence and magnitude 
                                of the emerging contaminant.
                            (iii) Prioritization.--In selecting States 
                        to receive technical assistance and support 
                        under this paragraph, the Administrator--
                                    (I) shall give priority to States 
                                with affected areas primarily in 
                                financially distressed communities;
                                    (II) may--
                                            (aa) waive the application 
                                        process in an emergency 
                                        situation; and
                                            (bb) require an abbreviated 
                                        application process for the 
                                        continuation of work specified 
                                        in a previously approved 
                                        application that continues to 
                                        meet the criteria described in 
                                        clause (ii); and
                                    (III) shall consider the relative 
                                expertise and availability of--
                                            (aa) Federal and non-
                                        Federal laboratory capacity 
                                        available to the State;
                                            (bb) analytical resources 
                                        available to the State; and
                                            (cc) other types of 
                                        technical assistance available 
                                        to the State.
                    (C) Database of available resources.--The 
                Administrator shall establish and maintain a database 
                of resources available through the program developed 
                under subparagraph (A) to assist States with testing 
                for emerging contaminants that--
                            (i) is--
                                    (I) available to States and 
                                stakeholder groups determined by the 
                                Administrator to have scientific or 
                                material interest in emerging 
                                contaminants, including--
                                            (aa) drinking water and 
                                        wastewater utilities;
                                            (bb) laboratories;
                                            (cc) Federal and State 
                                        emergency responders;
                                            (dd) State primacy 
                                        agencies;
                                            (ee) public health 
                                        agencies; and
                                            (ff) water associations;
                                    (II) searchable; and
                                    (III) accessible through the 
                                website of the Administrator; and
                            (ii) includes a description of--
                                    (I) qualified contract testing 
                                laboratory facilities that conduct 
                                analyses for emerging contaminants; and
                                    (II) the resources available in 
                                Federal laboratory facilities to test 
                                for emerging contaminants.
                    (D) Water contaminant information tool.--The 
                Administrator shall integrate the database established 
                under subparagraph (C) into the Water Contaminant 
                Information Tool of the Environmental Protection 
                Agency.
            (4) Funding.--Of the amounts available to the 
        Administrator, the Administrator may use not more than 
        $15,000,000 in a fiscal year to carry out this subsection.
    (e) Report.--Not less frequently than once every 2 years until 
2029, the Administrator shall submit to Congress a report that 
describes the progress made in carrying out this Act.
    (f) Effect.--Nothing in this section modifies any obligation of a 
State, local government, or Indian Tribe with respect to treatment 
methods for, or testing or monitoring of, drinking water.
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